Adjustable Bladder System With External Valve For An Article Of Footwear

摘要

An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression.

主权项

1. A bladder system for an article of footwear, comprising:
a lower layer having an outer first surface and an inner second surface opposite to the outer first surface; an upper layer having an outer third surface and inner fourth surface opposite to the outer third surface; a valve member including a housing, a valve, an outlet port, and a fluid passage; wherein the fluid passage provides fluid communication between the valve and the outlet port; wherein the housing has an upper edge, a lower edge, and an inclined surface extending from the lower edge to the upper edge; wherein the outlet port of the housing is disposed at the inclined surface; wherein an inclined portion of the lower layer is bonded, at the outer first surface of the lower layer, to the inclined surface of the housing of the valve member; wherein the inclined portion of the lower layer defines an opening aligned with the outlet port disposed at the inclined surface of the housing; wherein the inner fourth surface of the upper layer is attached to the inner second surface of the lower layer so as to define a bladder having an interior cavity; wherein the valve receives fluid external to the valve member; and wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior cavity through the fluid passage, the outlet port, and the opening in the lower layer.